Print Job Management Module for Raster Image Processing Bottleneck
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Solution Overview
Problem
In print on demand systems, complex print jobs require significant raster image processing (RIP) time, leading to bottlenecks and high memory usage as completed pages are temporarily stored, which can cause print engine downtime and memory occupancy issues.
Innovation Solution
A method that calculates the estimated processing and delay times for each page of a print job, delaying the start of RIP processing until it approaches the print engine's output interval, allowing pages to be immediately released and reducing memory consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If rasterized pages are accumulated to minimize print engine downtime, then print engine throughput is improved, but print memory usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculation of estimated processing time and estimated delay to print time for each page before actually processing it. This allows the system to plan when to start RIP processing so that pages are ready exactly when needed, avoiding both memory accumulation and print engine downtime.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the timing of RIP processing based on real-time calculations of processing duration and print engine output interval. By making the processing start time flexible and adaptive rather than fixed, the system can optimize both memory usage and throughput for each specific page's characteristics.
2Quantity of substance
If RIP processing is delayed to reduce memory usage, then print memory usage is minimized, but print engine downtime increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors and calculates the relationship between RIP processing time and print engine output interval, using this feedback to dynamically determine the optimal start time for processing. This feedback loop ensures pages are processed at the right moment to minimize both memory usage and engine downtime.
Solution Approach 2:
By calculating estimated processing time and delay to print time in advance, the system can schedule RIP processing to complete exactly when the print engine is ready, ensuring minimal downtime while avoiding memory accumulation from premature processing.
3Speed
If complex print jobs are processed immediately, then processing speed is improved, but other jobs waiting to be processed experience bottlenecks
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the print job into individual pages, each with its own calculated processing timing. This allows complex multi-page jobs to be processed in a coordinated manner where each page's RIP processing is scheduled independently based on its specific characteristics, preventing bottlenecks for other jobs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary timing calculations for each page before processing, allowing it to schedule RIP operations that complete exactly when needed. This prevents immediate processing of complex jobs from blocking other jobs, as the timing is optimized in advance based on page characteristics.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of managing a print job is disclosed, the method includes receiving a print job on an image forming apparatus; calculating an estimated processing time and an estimated delay to print time for each page of the print job; processing each page of the print job when the estimated processing time for a page of the print job and the estimated delay to print time for the page of the print job are equal; sending each of the processed pages of the print job to a print engine associated with the image forming apparatus for printing; and printing each of the pages of the print job on the image forming apparatus upon receipt by the print engine.